I have seen those numbers as well BUT---always question them because there are a quite a few people such as myself who never participate in the surveys either by mail, phone or internet. Hell I have even had some of them send me cash through the mail lol. Several people that I do know will make it a point to fill out the surveys because it makes them feel better.

I did make a mistake above and it was an honest one. MB did buy back my 2000 ML55 AMG because of a transfer case module that they could not fix even – sucker would go into low range when stopped for no reason…..

To your point about union labor----the overhead structure includes the higher touch labor costs which in turn leave less resources ($$$$) for Engineering, Processes and Materials given a product that has to sell at a certain price point.

Everything is relative here because supporting the pensions and benefits of retirees at the levels they have to is still killing the big 3 in the marketplace. To top it off most of the people we are talking about are on the other side of the isle and support people I cannot. Like to vote with my pocketbook if you will.…

Wards is like the bible of the automotive industry. No matter where your plant is, it's tracked. They are the only ones who do true quality controll checks, and have a system setup that tracks them at zero miles, 10K, 25K, 50K and either 75K or 100K. Sometimes the model is so new that they can't get a check much past 10K or 25K, so you need to remember that point. They don't play with dollars or anything like that, and when they call out a spade everybody listens.

I've seen Wards do their engine engineering look thrus and give somebody the thumbs up, but then turn right around three to six months later and rip them apart. ( one that sticks in my mind was the first generation Duramax deisel engine.)

Wards does not have any alignment, and for years was big on Japanese products as well as some German stuff. But things constantly evolve, and some folks get complacent in their position. They will call you out on this issue alone. They were the ones that broke the AMG55 issues when Car & Driver and the others raved about them! I know two guys that bought them, and the first guy liked to never got rid of the thing. It averaged six months out of the year in the shop! The other guy has only had his a about six months, and I suspect it's broke as I have not seen it in quite awhile
gary

perhaps you need to dig in a little deeper with your statement. Ford is in good financil shape on the backs of the U.S. citizen. Ford out sources 70% of the parts, and the vast majority of that 70% are in China, Vietnam, and Malaysia. What do these three countries have in common? They hate us. Where as a G.M. product will at the minimum have a 65% in house content, and some are in the 90's. Once again that's jobs badly needed. Ford next to Navstar has bilked more suppliers out of money than any heavy manufacturer in North America. If you ever had to do any serious business with Ford, you'd soon learn to hate them (and I just kinda smoothed it over).

But most of all, I'll never own a Ford because I don't like Nazis, and anti-semites
gary

Don't know where you got this info, but if you're willing to do a little research
just google "most american parts content"

I have two Fords now, plan on replacing them with two more w/in a year or so.

could care less where you get your data from. My data is right from the inside, and is common knowledge with the entire industry. But you don't even have to go very far to find out what's built where. Just jump in your car and drive over to your Ford dealer and look at the invoice sheet. It don't lie (by Federal Law). Your gonna have a hard time finding a Ford half ton that meets USA content standards, or even North American content standards. The best I've ever seen is 55% for a $53K half ton truck. It takes 67% to claim this, and most of their truck are right at the 50% mark. Even Toyota's been calling Ford out in their adds about who has more content.

At onetime Ford made everything in their products with the exception being tires. That was kinda like the industry standard for fifty years. But it also ate their lunch. They divested items one right after another. Till they were making money instead of wasting it. (somethings are never going to be profitable to manufacture as part of your core business). Probably the single biggest items were glass and raw steel and iron. Later they sold off Autolite (may have retained the name only). Now they have their forge shops in China and Vietnam. Their steering units will all soon be Chinese as well as their electronic throttle systems (many are already). Their frames are made by Dana like everybody else. Same for the rear ends. This went on till in 1985 Ford was doing about 37% of their installed parts, and the 37% number has never stopped slipping downwards. In 1985 G.M. did about 73% of the parts in house, and they've slipped down to about 60% (some models are closer to 50% and some are much higher).

I take no joy in outting Ford on their content (Chrysler too), and G.M. kinda gives me hives these days. But it's simply a matter of fact that they can't avoid
gary

Just upgraded from my 2010 Tundra grade to a 2011 Rock Warrior. Couldn't pass up the deal they offered me. Went in for oil change came out with a new pickup. Mine never hit the lot, they had it sold before my deal was finished.

Above the TRD package. Better shocks, tires, and skid plates. They have tires in between a 31 and 33" from the factory and rims. Mine came with the leveling kit and a heavy duty package(added a leaf and a stabilizer bar in back). The dealership put together a heavy duty package. The mines around here are starting to buy some and try them out. Our mine has had all makes to figure out which one will break down the least. We were strictly Chevy up until 2009, we have had so many problems with them(chevy).